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Quality Matters™ Plus (QM+)

Boise State adopted the Quality Matters™ Standards for Online Course Design, an internationally recognized set of standards used to provide feedback for improving the design of an online course. The Plus (+) indicates that there are additional standards that are specific to Boise State.

Quality Matters™ Plus (QM+) Peer Reviews

Academic courses taught in a fully online format are eligible for review using the QM+ Rubric for Online Course Design. Participating in a QM+ Peer Review allows faculty to improve the quality of their online course design through valuable insights from peer faculty and instructional designers. 

Students benefit when faculty engage with QM. Research conducted by QM and QM institutions shows that courses revised to meet QM Standards positively affect the following:

  • Higher final exam scores and overall course grades
  • Increased student engagement and course completion
  • Student evaluations reflecting higher course quality and improved instructor evaluations

Getting Started

The review process has two entry points based on how the online course was designed.

Independently Designed Online Courses

Faculty with independently designed online courses can begin by enrolling in the QM+ Self-Review course. This self-paced course guides faculty through a reflection of their course design through self-review. This review allows faculty to assess their course in relation to the QM+ standards before a peer review. After completing the self-review, faculty discuss next steps with eCampus Center staff, including moving to a QM+ Peer Review, accessing resources for improvement, or further independent course work.

Online Courses Designed with eCampus Center Assistance

Faculty who designed their online course through the eCampus Design and Development process are encouraged to complete a self-review, but it is not required. Because eCampus Center templates and recommendations align with QM+ Standards, faculty may proceed directly to the QM+ Peer Review. While a self-review is suggested, it is optional since these courses are already aligned with QM+ principles due to the development process.

Online Course Eligibility

The following online courses are eligible for the QM+ Peer Review and possible recognition for the quality of design:

  • A fully online course offered at Boise State University
  • Must be an academic course (clinical, research, internship, practicum, thesis and independent study are not eligible)
  • The course has been taught online at Boise State at least once

Time Commitment 

Completing a QM+ Peer Review requires a time commitment for the faculty who designed the course. This involves the following:

  • Approximately two to five hours of preparation work
  • A couple of hours to review the results of the peer review and create a course improvement plan
  • Additional time to implement the course improvement plan 

Because of this time commitment, as well as the time dedicated by peer reviewers, an online course should have any necessary changes completed before engaging in a peer review. eCampus Center staff members are available for consultations or to provide resources related to online course improvements if needed. 

The QM+ Peer Review takes about seven weeks. Before peers review the course, faculty must complete the following:

  • Complete a Course Information Sheet
  • Complete a Course Alignment Map
  • Provide a course copy for review

After the review has been completed, faculty must complete the following:

  • Review and provide comments on QM+ Peer Review Compilation 
  • Meet with an eCampus Center staff member to create a Course Improvement Plan

Exemplary Online Course Design Recognition

Academic online courses offered at Boise State that meet all 47 of the standards on the QM+ Rubric, based on the results of a QM+ Peer Review, are eligible for recognition for the quality of the course design. It is likely that feedback based on the QM+ Peer Review will indicate that some standards are not yet met. If that is the case, faculty are encouraged to make improvements to their course so that it does meet all 47 standards and therefore earn recognition status. eCampus Center staff are available to assist with online course improvement efforts. 

View the list of Boise State online courses awarded with the QM+ Exemplary Online Course Design recognition. 

Recognition for online course design based on the QM+ Rubric is good for five years. After this time, the course can be reviewed and recognition renewed if the course continues to meet all QM+ Standards.